A HISTORICAL building in North Manchester was opened to the public recently to encourage the local community to campaign for its preservation.

A HISTORICAL building in North Manchester was opened to the public recently to encourage the local community to campaign for its preservation.

Dating back to Tudor times, Hough Hall on Hough Hall Lane, Moston dates back to 1502 and currently houses a commercial business in part of its premises.

But the partners want to sell up and it is rumoured that the building is currently on the market with a price tag of around £200,000.

Enthusiasts, including the Friends of Hough Hall, want to gain Trust status for the house so that the building can be preserved.

They held a fundraising event last year and raised £800, which they used to finance the Awareness Day which was held last week.

The Hall was opened up to the public for the day as the Friends laid out ephemera and historical exhibits for the public to peruse in the grounds of Moston Lane Primary School.

These included items borrowed from Charlestown Primary School, dating from 1996, when pupils undertook an historical research project about the local area.

There were also letters on display which had been written by locals, recalling how the area used to be in their youth. Youngsters and youthworkers from Blackley's Whitemoss Club made Tudor costumes with the help of Linda Udell, the club's special needs support worker.

They dressed in their costumes and walked around the MIP Market on Moston Lane, telling shoppers about the Hall and enlisting support.

MIP Market and most of the local businesses donated raffle and tombola prizes, as did Asda and McDonald's. North City Arts also provided 'strollers', who dressed in Tudor costume and entertained visitors.

Susan Rogers, Chairman of the Friends, said: "Who would think there was anything still standing in Moston dating back to Tudor times?

"We need to get everyone in the community to realise what a gem we have in our midst. We need to encourage people from around the area to get involved with our plans to get the Hall into community ownership. We believe it's up for sale for £200,000, which shouldn't be beyond us to raise if we all get together."

Locals say that at one time in the late 60s or early 70s, the Hall was scheduled for demolition under a Compulsory Purchase Order, but was saved. Others remember a one-off Hough Hall Festival, held around 1972.

The next meeting of the Friends is taking place at Moston Youth Club, on 21 July, at 6.30pm, when discussions will take place on forthcoming issues. For more information, call Susan, on 203 6065.